Sam Harris, author of Letter to a Christian Nation and End of Faith argues that we need to stop treating faith as an untouchable subject. Just as we expect people to defend their political beliefs, we should also expect them to defend their religious beliefs. Simply answering, “It’s just what I believe,” should not entitle anyone to a lack of critical inquiry.

I know that the host cut the debate short, but I think Hewitt skirted the final issue by simply telling Harris his ideas weren’t new. This may be true, but doesn’t address the actual point Harris was making.

Often enough, I get visitors that read a post or two of mine and then leave a comment that they think is going to change my mind about all this atheism business. Sitting in my comments list, I routinely find nicely formatted arguments that invariably end with “Therefore, God must exist.”

Now let’s think about this for a moment. I run a website dedicated (mostly) to atheism and secular humanism. It stands to reason that I’ve done a fair bit of research about the things that I believe. I’m not just some “Sunday Atheist,” passively not believing in God. And I have no reason to cling to my ideas if I change my mind about their validity. In fact, a little over a year ago, I stopped eating meat. Previously an avid omnivore, I chronicled my decision and the reasons for my new-found vegetarianism on this blog. Clearly, I’m capable of admitting when I’m wrong about something when new information presents itself.

On most demographic surveys that deal with religion, you’ll see many of the major faiths represented, and then a catch-all category for “Atheist or Agnostic.” This contributes to the popular confusion surrounding these identities.

Whether or not you’re Catholic, you’ve probably heard of the Pope. He’s that old man who lives in a castle in the world’s smallest country, wears a funny hat, and emerges every once in a while to make goofy assertions — which over a billion people take at least somewhat seriously.

The current pope (Benedict XVI) was quoted back in 1990 (when he was just a cardinal) as saying that the trial and execution of Galileo was “reasonable and just.” It seems that he’s still suspicious of this whole “earth isn’t the centre of the universe” business.

But these modern Popes have got nothing on the Popes of Yore, especially my new favourite, Pope Innocent VIII.